Rules for midway rides reflect safety concerns

1of2New for this year: Stickers to be worn by companions supervising younger children on some carnival rides.Photo: Melissa Phillip, Staff

2of2Jacqueline Marsh, 9, of League City, waits to ride the Windstorm roller coaster with her dad, Dan Marsh, on the carnival midway Thursday in Houston.Photo: Melissa Phillip, Staff

New height and age requirements, amusements specifically for smaller guests as well as a new QR Code that delivers ride requirements right to your smartphone are among the safety upgrades at this year's Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo carnival.

Under the new rules, a replay of last year's incident involving a 3-year-old who flew off the Techno Jump is unlikely.

"That kid certainly couldn't fall off that ride this year because she can't get on it. Even if she's grown 2 inches, she doesn't meet the height (requirement)," Rodeo Chief Operating Officer Leroy Shafer said.

More Information

Farm Tractors*: In Kids County, only for children at least 32 inches tall.

VW Bugs*: In Kids County, only for children at least 32 inches tall.

Motorcycles*: In Kids County, only for children at least 34 inches and no taller than 54 inches.

Quad Ride*: In Kids County, only for children at least 34 inches and no taller than 54 inches.

La Grande Wheel: Patrons shorter than 54 inches must ride with a supervising companion who is at least 54 inches tall and 14 years old.

Carousel: Patrons shorter than 42 inches must ride with a supervising companion who is at least 42 inches tall and 14 years old.

* New in 2013

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This year, a rider must be at least 4 feet tall to ride the Techno Jump. In previous years, someone at least 42 inches tall could ride with a supervising companion.

The rodeo and its carnival operator, Ray Cammack Shows, continue to increase safety measures following two falls from rides in the last two years, including a fatality. Each resulted in a lawsuit and financial settlement.

For the rest of last year's carnival, officials imposed a rule that youngsters too short to ride alone on the Techno Jump and 14 other amusements had to be with a supervising companion who was at least 16.

This year, some amusements will have two height requirements: One to ride alone and another that requires shorter patrons to have a supervising companion who is at least 14 and meets the taller mandate. The responsible party will self-report his age verbally to a ride operator and will receive a sticker to wear identifying him or her as the party responsible for the shorter person.

"You are saying: 'I understand my responsibilities and I will be responsible for these children,' " Shafer said. "We're not checking IDs. You've got to look like you're big enough, and they've got to meet the top height requirement."

Ben Pickett, vice president of Ray Cammack Shows, said the carnival operator decided to reduce the supervising companion age to 14.

Smartphone ap

If all of this sounds like too much to remember, there's a new QR Code for that. The square matrix of squiggles - available on carnival brochures - can be scanned by a smartphone application, bringing ride requirements directly to patrons. The few rides that are run by independent contractors are not included.

The Kids Country part of the carnival has four new rides to accommodate younger guests who are shorter than 3 feet.

"We just encourage parents to take an active role in determining which rides are better-suited for their children. No one knows their children better than they do," Pickett said, adding that carnival rides are not recommended for those 2 and younger.

Other safety upgrades include new height measuring devices at each ride and more audible safety messages that give brief descriptions of ride motions and instructions. During spring break, the carnival will have a roaming safety compliance officer on the midway.

Millions of riders

The Arizona-based Ray Cammack Shows has run the rodeo's carnival since 1994 and had roughly 2 million riders during last year's three-week run.

Shafer added that safety on the midway is a combined responsibility held by the carnival, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and patrons.

"If any one of the three of us fail, the system fails and an incident will happen," he said.

Kalyn Pennygraph was riding the Techno Jump in March 2012 when she slipped from under a restraint and descended 6 to 8 feet before hitting the ground.

Two cases settled

Kaylyn's mother settled in February with Ray Cammack Shows. The girl will get periodic payments worth at least $50,000 during what would be her traditional college years as well as $27,500 to cover medical expenses and attorneys' fees.

Brian Greenhouse fell from the Hi Miler roller coaster in the final hours of the 2011 rodeo. Last April, the rodeo and Ray Cammack Shows settled with the 47-year-old's family but admitted no liability. Greenhouse's young son received $1.9 million, held in annuities that guarantee at least $2.9 million in benefits. The man's parents also received settlements in separate claims.